A further development of significance in a side showing five changes, two positional, following the 25-13 loss to Scotland, sees the power of Ben Te’o preferred to the quick feet of Jonathan Joseph at outside centre.

“This was always the plan – we felt we’d need someone a bit bigger and stronger on a slower track at the Stade de France and this is why Ben Te’o starts,” Jones said.

“The French play fairly direct and he’ll enjoying getting a shot on Mathieu Bastareaud early.”

Eddie Jones has put his faith in Ben Te’o (Mike Egerton/PA)

Owen Farrell leads England for the first time after Dylan Hartley was ruled out of the penultimate round of the Six Nations by a tight calf.

Hartley has been an ever-present under Jones, starting all but one of his 26 Tests in charge and always acting as skipper – and his absence at the Stade de France is part of the most radical team selection of the Australian’s reign.

Jamie George, the British and Irish Lions’ starting hooker against New Zealand last summer, is given the number two jersey while Mako Vunipola has been named vice-captain.

Dylan Hartley’s long run of England matches under Eddie Jones will end against France (Adam Davy/PA)

“Dylan is not fit enough to be waterboy on Saturday, let’s put it that way. We’ll see how he goes next week. He started running today and we’re obviously hopeful he’s going to be fit (to play against Ireland).

“We are trying to develop a team that’s self-reliant and we are moving along that pathway.

“When you have a loss like we had, it accelerates and emphasises the need for that to happen. That’s what has happened within the team.

Eddie Jones says Owen Farrell will lead from the front (Aaron Chown/PA)

“Owen has the respect of the players, he respects the players, he’s a passionate aggressive player and he’ll lead from the front. That’s the expectation.

“It’s not only Owen’s role that has changed, it’s the rest of the players’ roles – they’ve got to support him. It’s a two-way relationship and I’m sure he will have their support.”

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